Both general dentists and prosthodontists are trained dental professionals. The key difference is the depth and specialization of their training when it comes to restoring and replacing teeth.
A general dentist completes four years of dental school and offers a broad range of services: cleanings, fillings, basic crowns, extractions, and preventive care. They’re your primary dental care provider, similar to a family physician.
A prosthodontist completes the same four years of dental school, plus an additional three years of specialized residency training. That training focuses only on the restoration and replacement of teeth: single crowns, full mouth reconstructions, dental implant restorations, dentures, veneers, and complex cases.
Many general dentists refer their most complex cases to prosthodontists, just as a family doctor refers patients to specialists when needed.
Dr. Jennifer Pan is a prosthodontist in Wilmington, NC with advanced training from UCSF. She brings art and science together to create smiles that look natural and make daily life better.
Meet Dr. Pan